Tag: James Smith Williams

Commanders’ Week 13 inactive list vs. Dolphins

Emmanuel Forbes and James Smith-Williams headlines Washington’s inactive list vs. Dolphins.

Week 13 is here, and the Washington Commanders have revealed their inactive list ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and defensive end James Smith-Williams headline Washington’s Week 13 inactive list. Forbe suffered an elbow injury in Week 11 and will miss his second consecutive game.

Smith-Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 10 and hasn’t played since.

Here are all of the Commanders’ Week 13 inactives:

  • CB Emmanuel Forbes
  • DE James Smith-Williams
  • WR Mitchell Tinsley
  • OL Julian Good-Jones
  • TE Curtis Hodges
  • FB Alex Armah

And here are the inactive players for the Dolphins:

  • WR Robbie Chosen
  • QB Skylar Thompson
  • S Jevon Holland
  • CB Eli Apple
  • OL Robert Jones
  • TE Tyler Kroft

 

Commanders vs. Dolphins: Final injury report for Week 13

Two out for the Commanders and good news for the Dolphins on Friday’s injury report.

The Washington Commanders will be without rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. Forbes, along with defensive end James Smith-Williams, will miss the Week 13 matchup.

Forbes injured his elbow in the Week 11 loss to the New York Giants and missed last week’s game. Head coach Ron Rivera said Forbes’ injury was “pretty significant” but believed he’d be able to play again this season.

Smith-Williams has been dealing with a hamstring injury since Week 9.

Here’s Washington’s final injury report for Sunday:

  • CB Emmanuel Forbes: OUT (elbow)
  • C Tyler Larsen: Questionable (knee)
  • DE James Smith-Williams: OUT (hamstring)
  • FB Alex Armah: Full participant (hamstring)

As for the Dolphins, no player was ruled out for Week 13.

Questionable:

  • S Jevon Holland (knees)
  • OT Kendall Lamm (back)
  • OL Lester Cotton (illness)
  • LT Terron Armstead (knee/quad)
  • RB Chris Brooks (knee)
  • OL Robert Jones (knee)

The Dolphins listed 18 players on the injury report, but everyone else had no game status listed for Week 13, which means they’re likely to play. WR Tyreek Hill and RB Raheem Mostert were both limited but will play on Sunday.

Commanders’ Week 12 inactive list vs. Cowboys

Emmanuel Forbes is among those out for the Commanders.

The Washington Commanders released their inactive list for the Week 12 Thanksgiving Day showdown, and rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is among those out.

Forbes injured his elbow in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, while defensive end James Smith-Williams misses his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury.

Here’s Washington’s inactive list for Thursday’s battle with the Cowboys:

  • CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
  • DE James Smith-Williams
  • FB Alex Armah
  • G Julian Good-Jones
  • TE Curtis Hodges
  • WR Mitchell Tinsley
  • RB Jonathan Williams

Here is the inactive list for the Cowboys:

  • S Jayron Kearse
  • QB Trey Lance (emergency 3rd QB)
  • CB Noah Igbinoghene
  • CB Eric Scott
  • RB Deuce Vaughn
  • T Asim Richards

 

Commanders DEs Casey Toohill, James Smith-Williams ready for opportunities after trades

Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams have a massive opportunity in front of them for the remainder of this season.

Heading into the 2023 NFL season, the Washington Commanders had their top five defensive ends headed for free agency in 2024. Chase Young, Montez Sweat, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill and Efe Obada were all playing in the final year of their respective contracts.

Now, Young and Sweat are gone after the Washington traded the duo earlier this week ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

Fortunately for the Commanders, they have some depth at defensive end. While no one will confuse Toohill, Smith-Williams, or Obada for Sweat and Young in regards to talent and athleticism, the trio has plenty of experience and has each experienced success.

Toohill, despite limited snaps this season, is third on the team with four sacks, just one behind Young. The fourth-year defensive end from Stanford is eager for an increased role.

“It’s always, in this business, it’s always sad to see people you spend a lot of time with, people you have a lot of respect for, go,” Toohill said. “Obviously, Chase and Tez are incredible players, good friends of both (Smith-Williams) of ours, so that was, sad to see them go. It always is, and that’s a part of the business that never gets easier. So that was a hard day for everyone involved.”

While Toohill will miss Sweat and Young, he understands he and Smith-Williams have a job to do, and they’re prepared.

“I don’t think anything changes in terms of, like James and I, our preparation,” Toohill said. “We’ve been here before, our rookie year, when they were both hurt. Nothing changes; I don’t think you make it a bigger deal than it is. And you just come to work every day and do your absolute best to prepare.”

Toohill is certainly ready for the increased role, but his preparation will not be any different.

“It’s always exciting, but you can’t focus too much on that,” he said. “I don’t think, like I said, much changes, like, I don’t think my preparation changes, whether I was playing 10 reps, or 30 or 40, whatever it is. So, just keeping that same mindset, just enjoying every day here and preparing the best I can, and that’s all I’m focused on.”

What about his good friend Smith-Williams?

“You always want to play as much as you possibly can, right?” Smith-Williams said. “Looking forward to that and preparing the same as I have all year.”

Much like Sweat and Yuong were close, Toohill and Smith-Williams are also close friends. Now, both players have a chance to show the Commanders they should be around in 2024.

How has the Commanders 2020 draft class developed?

How would you judge Washington’s 2020 NFL draft class right now?

How many times over the years have you heard, “You can’t grade a draft until you have at least three seasons of play?”

While the 2020 Washington NFL draft has brought some disappointment, this draft by no means can be called a dud or unproductive.

Yes, Antonio Gandy-Golden (4th round) is already out of the NFL, and yes, Keith Ismael (5th round) did not last long in the Burgundy and Gold.

Yes, Chase Young (1st round) has produced only 9 sacks in three seasons and yes, he was the overall second selection in the entire draft.

Yes, Saahdiq Charles (4th round) has only played in 24 games in three seasons. Yet, he has shown enough that head coach Ron Rivera still believes he and Chris Paul will battle for the starting left guard spot this fall.

Also encouraging is third-round selection, Antonio Gibson. Gibson from Memphis has rushed for 2,378 yards and caught 124 receptions for 894 yards. With the Commanders releasing J.D. McKissic, look for new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to readily use Gibson as the third-down back, getting the ball to him in space.

Khaleke Hudson (5th round, 162 overall) has been steady on special teams and showed in the season finale last season he can play more at linebacker if needed.

Seventh-round choices Kamren Curl and James Smith-Williams have been pleasant surprises who continue to contribute on defense. How often does a team have not one but two successful draft choices in the final round?

Both Curl and Smith-Williams are entering their final contract year with the Commanders. With these two being productive and reliable, the Commanders will need to get both re-signed for the 2024 season and beyond.

Who would have thought immediately after the 2020 draft, that after three seasons of play, not one but both seventh-round draft choices would be a top priority for the Commanders to resign for 2024?

Not a single one of us.

WATCH: Commanders DE James Smith-Williams’ speech after receiving ‘Champion of Justice’ award

James Smith-Williams gives an inspirational speech after receiving an award for his work off the field.

James Smith-Williams is entering his fourth NFL season with the Washington Commanders in 2023. A seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Smith-Williams has appeared in 42 games, with 20 starts, through his first three seasons.

While Smith-Williams is an essential member of Washington’s defense, his work off the field is where he truly shines.

Last week, we highlighted Smith-Williams being honored by the D.C. Volunteer Lawyers Project for his work against sexual and domestic violence with the “Champion of Justice” award.

“As I’ve grown up, I’ve come to appreciate that life is very much a team sport,” Smith-Williams said during his acceptance speech, per commanders.com. “It’s about community, and in this sport of life, success is not about winning the competition. It’s about making a contribution.”

The Commanders released part of Smith-Williams’ speech on their social media channels.

Congratulations to James Smith-Williams for making a big difference off the field.

 

Ron Rivera likes the Commanders depth at defensive end

Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio like Washington’s defensive end depth.

The Washington Commanders arguably have the NFL’s most talented defensive line. Defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat, combined with defensive tackles Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Phidarian Mathis, give Washington an outstanding tor group.

However, with Young still recovering from knee surgery, there were concerns about Washington’s youthful depth at defensive end this offseason. It led the Commanders to sign veteran Efe Obada to serve in a backup role for 2022.

But what about some of Washington’s young pass rushers?

Head coach Ron Rivera spoke to the media Wednesday and offered high praise for some of the Commanders’ young pass rushers.

“[William] Bradley King has done a really nice job,” Rivera said of the second-year defensive end. “He’s a heavy-handed guy that’s physical.”

Bradley-King has been consistent throughout training camp and flashed multiple times in last week’s preseason opener. Rivera also praised Bunmi Rotimi and Shaka Toney. Toney, along with Bradley-King, were fellow seventh-round picks in 2021.

“You look at Shaka [Toney], Shaka is a situation pass-rusher type,” Rivera said. “Very explosive off the ball. We saw that in the game. He was getting around the corner and dipping stuff like that. So, we got a mix of young guys.”

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio also spoke on some of Washington’s defensive ends, naming James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill.

“I think James Smith-Williams is the first guy that comes to my mind,” Del Rio said. “He is running with the ones. I think he is a guy that is rugged. He has played a little bit inside and has moved outside full-time. He is doing a great job with it. Really happy with him.”

We know Young is out for at least Week 1. Perhaps he will miss a few games. Washington certainly isn’t going to rush his return. So the extra reps for players like Smith-Williams, Toohill, Bradley-King and Toney are critical in the preseason.

It’s clear that Commanders’ coaches believe in some of the young players and Obada, regardless of how long they must wait on Young. That’s something the Commanders were less confident about one year ago.

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Commanders Jack Del Rio mindful and precise with media

Jack Del Rio spoke only about football on Wednesday.

Jack Del Rio did not take the bait.

Washington’s defensive coordinator was fined $100,000 by head coach Ron Rivera in June. When he met with the media Wednesday, the very first question he was asked was what he learned from the fine. Del Rio calmly replied, “Happy to be in camp right now. The team is doing a great job working on preparing for the season. Everything that I like to talk about should have to do with football and playing good defense.”

When John Keim inquired what all went into Del Rio’s departure from tweeting on Twitter, Jack simply responded, “Personal decision.”

A third question came; even offering it was unfair he was fined. But Del Rio was laser-focused, responding, “I have nothing to add.”

One reporter clearly not listening well, repeated a question Del Rio had earlier more than satisfactorily answered. He calmly responded, “I touched on that a little before.” Which Del Rio certainly had. But for the record, Del Rio did go ahead and offer some more of an answer in kindness to the reporter.

Some members of the media probably interpreted Del Rio as stingy with answers Wednesday. Yet, on the other side of the coin, in his first statement, he made it clear he was only going to talk football, and yet he was asked twice more about the events this past June.

Del Rio even was conscientious not to provide his opinion of Coach Rivera’s firing of defensive line coach Sam Mills III or the promotion of Jeff Zgonina. “I’d have to defer to coach (Rivera) on any reasoning. I think he spelled that out with you guys. I have nothing to add.”

When asked a second time about Rivera’s decision, Del Rio again was judicious. “Like I said, anything you want to talk about in terms of that, I just defer to coach.”

Now Del Rio was more than happy to compliment Zgonina’s coaching, “Jeff is doing a good job. He’s a guy that played 17 years in the league. I like that. I think he brings some intensity. I like that. I think the guys respond well to him and his teaching. I think he brings intensity on the way he coaches the guys. I think there is connectivity. It is important to be able to connect with the guys and I think he does that. Thus far, a short, small sample but I have been happy with the way it has worked out.”

Del Rio did compliment some of his players’ performances thus far in preseason. “I think James Smith-Williams is the first guy that comes to my mind. He is running with the ones. I think he is a guy that is rugged. He is doing a great job with it. Really happy with him. I think Casey Toohill has developed. I think Efe (Obada) is developing. Those guys are giving us some presence on the edge, and of course, Montez Sweat is leading the way with that group.”

“I think Jamin (Davis) is playing with more certainty and more confidence. He understands where he belongs. Talent wise with his abilities, he’s locked in, and mentally he really understands where he belongs. He is having a strong camp for us, and we are going to need him to play well for us.”

“Cole (Holcomb) is really asserting himself in a leadership role. I think he is doing a great job mentoring some of the other linebackers, asserting himself in the huddle, taking charge and making the call, being really strong with it. I think his preparation is very strong. I’m happy with the way he has approached it.”

Del Rio did provide much more, but space does not permit here. Here is the full video.

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Commanders DE James Smith-Williams believes in DL coach Zgonina

Commanders DE James Smith-Williams endorses new DL coach Jeff Zgonina.

Naturally, James-Smith Williams was asked questions about his old and new defensive line coaches on Wednesday when he met with the media.

One day after his defensive line coach Sam Mills III was fired, the Commanders defensive end appeared before the media following Wednesday’s practice.

Asked to respond on how the team took it when they learned Mills was fired: “Like Jon (Allen) said, ‘Football is a great sport, tough business.’ We respect what Coach Ron (Rivera) does for the best interest of the team.” It appears Smith-Williams endorses Rivera’s coaching decision.

The third-year Washington defensive end is confident in defensive line Coach Jeff Zgonina: “Z’s (Zgonina) been here the entire time I’ve been here, so there’s a lot of continuity. It feels very familiar, very much the same.”

The former NC State Wolfpack defender also likes Zgonina’s energy, “Z’s (Zgonina) always been the same guy, super intense, always getting out there, and always trying to push us. So having that around it’s really a lot of fun.”

Smith-Williams believes Zgonina’s NFL playing experience is a real plus.
“Yeah, definitely. He played for 17 years. He knows what we need to hear. So he’s always really good about that.”

In the NFL world of coaches being hired to be fired, he knows the players must stay focused despite sudden changes. “We still have to go out and play. The NFL is more of a self-start league anyway. You aren’t going to need someone to drag you along. You are going to have to push the pace regardless.”

Having started six games last season, he feels he is progressing compared to last year. “Yeah, a lot better. I’m not coming off major surgery. I have the year starting experience under my belt. So you kind of know what to expect, and I know what the system’s like. So, year three I’m really excited for.”

The former seventh-round 2020 draft choice (229 overall) understands his role last year was to be ready to contribute when Chase Young tore his ACL. Now in 2022, Smith-Williams again prepares to provide as much as he can while Young returns from his ACL rehab and recovery.

Starting six games in 2021, JSW contributed 11 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 5 QB hits and 2.5 QB sacks.

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Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio hopes Montez Sweat will be available Sunday

Montez Sweat is eligible to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. Jack Del Rio knows it would be a boost for him to return Sunday vs. Eagles.

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It’s been a rough week for the Washington Football Team. With 21 plays on the reserve/COVID-19 list and a host of others injured, just having enough players to practice this week has been a challenge for Washington.

The most hard-hit position on Washington’s roster has been the defensive line. Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Montez Sweat, Tim Settle, Casey Toohill, James Smith-Williams and William Bradley-King are all on the COVID list.

The NFL relaxed some of the rules for vaccinated players who are asymptomatic Thursday, but it’s unclear how it will impact Washington Sunday vs. Philadelphia.

One player on the current COVID list who could return on Sunday is Sweat. His 10-day quarantine ends on Saturday. Before Washington placed Sweat on the COVID list last week, he had spent a month on injured reserve with a fractured jaw.

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio spoke to the media Thursday and was asked about Sweat potentially playing Sunday.

“It would obviously be a boost to get a guy like Montez back,” Del Rio said. “I know he’s working out; I’ve seen him via Zoom. I know he’s hopeful that that will occur, and we would love to see it. How many plays will he end up playing if he gets cleared and can play, I’m not sure. But yeah, I mean it would be a lift to get one of your better players back for sure.”

Del Rio was then asked if, from a conditioning standpoint, would Sweat be ready to play.

“Yes,” Del Rio responded.

Getting Sweat back would be a huge lift for Washington. But even though Del Rio said conditioning wouldn’t be an issue, you’d figure Sweat would be on a snap count. He hasn’t played since Week 8.

Next, Washington hopes for good news on Allen and some of the others.